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Added 9 October 2026

cello

/ˈtʃɛləʊ/ noun

In Latin: violoncellum Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about cello at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A large stringed instrument; seated player holds it upright while playing.

Origin

Clipping of violoncello, the original name, from Italian violoncello (“little violone”), from violone (“an early form of the double bass”) + -cello (“-elle”, forming diminutives), violone (“big viola”) itself being derived from viola + -one (“-oon”, forming augmentatives).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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